I hid some of the details, though, namely everything about the hunter’s man cave, since he didn’t want that location known. And, of course, all details of what had occurred inside said man cave, specifically my night spent in the hunter’s bed, in which he’d uncovered my true scent. That particular moment was when the hunter’s wolf side had taken a very keen interest in me. So that embarrassing encounter was definitely not something I wanted to share.
And another was the scorching kiss the hunter and I had experienced in the alleyway before he’d launched himself inside the club to rescue Tessa. Oh, and then this morning when he’d made me scream a second time. Yep, definitely hadn’t disclosed those moments either.
And last but not least, I’d hid all things associated with my forbidden power. It was bad enough that some of the fights I’d been engaged in divulged just how diverse my witch powers were, but it was another matter entirely to announce to the world that I harbored a power that no other supernatural could claim.
The commander began swiping through the pages on her tablet, speed-reading the six-page report. Several times her brow furrowed, and she darted glances at me and the hunter.
When she finished, she set her tablet down and pursed her lips. “So it sounds like you believe the European mafia may be involved, and somebody by the name of Jakub is running this abduction ring?”
“Correct,” I replied.
“And what’s this about a key?” She frowned.
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. It’s something the blue-haired fairy said. That Jakub is looking for a key.”
“A key to what?”
I shrugged again. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
I was about to ask what her plans were going forward, but she turned to the Fire Wolf. “You were really able to track her sister twice with perfect precision?”
The hunter’s jaw locked, but his face remained blank. “I was.”
“And that tracking ability is something you’re able to do on all of your hired jobs?”
He didn’t reply, but his eyes became hooded, guarded almost.
The commander sighed and clasped her hands. “I wish you would reconsider our offer. The Supernatural Forces would pay you highly for your time and abilities. I can have the contract drawn up—”
“As I’ve said before, I’m not interested.”
“But surely with the right price, we could reach some sort of agree—”
“Not happening.”
The commander’s nostrils flared. “Very well, but I’ll still need the names of the others held captive in that club.”
The Fire Wolf grumbled but snatched the crystal charm. The names of those he’d rescued, along with their cities, appeared on the commander’s tablet, but that was it. The hunter didn’t divulge any other details.
When finished, he tossed the charm back onto her desk. It thumped and rolled across the surface before she caught it from tumbling off the edge.
She gave the hunter a pointed look, then tucked the charm back into her drawer before addressing me. “We’ll be in touch if more information is needed. We’ll take it from here.”
“Take it from here?” My eyebrows shot up. “What does that mean?”
“It means the SF will be investigating this further. As Private Lopez has probably told you, the SF will open a full investigation into this matter. It does indeed sound like it’s more complicated than your sister’s sole abduction.”
“Yeah, it is, especially when—” I bit my lip. I’d been about to say especially when Jakub wanted me, not Tess, but then realized that would shine the spotlight on moi. Commander Klebus would undoubtedly want to know why I was such a prize, and that would literally put me back in my original predicament of not wanting the SF or the supernatural community to know about my forbidden power. It was bad enough that the hunter knew, but hopefully it stopped there.
I frowned, still not feeling as if the matter had been put to bed, because the reality hadn’t changed—Jakub had wanted me. But did he know it was me who harbored the powers he craved? Or did he still believe Tessa owned them? I grumbled internally as I stood from the chair. I still didn’t know, because I wasn’t aware of what Tessa had revealed since I’d been too mad at her to get to the bottom of it.
But despite our fight, I needed to find out, because if Jakub knew . . .
Well, who was to say he wouldn’t come hunting for me or Tessa a second time?
Chapter 3
“Thank you again for bringing this to our attention, Ms. Davenport. We do appreciate it. I’ll walk you to the front.” The commander waved toward the hall.
Right, I was being dismissed. I followed her out of her office, the hunter right behind me and Carlos behind him. When we got to the waiting area, the commander dipped her head. “Have a good afternoon. Thank you again.”
“Same to you, but wait—” I made a move to touch her arm, but with vampire speed she rounded on me.
“Yes?”
“Will you keep me informed about what you find?”
Her lips pursed. “That is highly irregular. The SF does not share information with civilians.”
I rolled my eyes. “Even civilians who bring you the information that opens up an investigation?”
Her expression turned glacial. “If we uncover something that directly affects you, we will inform you. Otherwise, no, Ms. Davenport, I will not be sharing our intel.”
I sighed, not entirely surprised by the commander’s response, but it felt weird to be actively hunting for my sister one minute and then sitting on the sidelines the next.
“I suggest you return to your daily life and do your best to forget this nasty experience,” she added. “The SF will get to the bottom of this. You can rest assured.”
I almost replied, if you say so, but managed to bite my tongue. Not trusting myself to contain further snarky comebacks, I simply nodded.
I expected the commander to retreat to her office, or some other area where they conducted super-secret and uber-important magical meetings, but instead she sidestepped to the Fire Wolf.
“Mr. King, in case you ever change your mind.” She held out a card. Even from the two yards of distance between us, I could see that it held her contact details.
The Fire Wolf’s hands stayed at his sides. “I already know how to reach you.”
The commander arched an eyebrow. I could tell that she was about to launch into another speech about why he should accept whatever they were offering him when Carlos drifted to my side.
“Please tell me you’re not really involved with that guy,” he said under his breath.
My eyebrows rose. Carlos stared down at me, his expression pleading.
“And if I was?”
A flash of anger flickered across his face before it disappeared. “That guy is bad news, Tala. I’m worried about you.”
“How do you know he’s bad news?”
“We’ve all heard of him. The SF has been trying to recruit him for years. I have no idea why. The guy has a questionable reputation. That’s not the kind of person we need in our organization.”